Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-03-04
WORK OF THE COMMITTEES
Tub IRCULOSIS.

TUBERCULOSIS
The committee on the investigation of the
cattle disease at the State College met in the
Senate Chamber last evening and continued
their labors. In addition to the other wit
nesses the officers of the college were in at.
tandance.
Mr.. L. A. Gilbert continued his testimony
and in opening gave history of the farm
committee at the college and the farming
operations in part. Mr.. Gilbert stated that
there no funds to buy stock. Mr. Gowell
WAS authorized to secure money to operate
the farm, some of it to work the farm and 10
buy animals: also to borrow sums of money
needed to carry out the purposes of the trus.
tees. He had frequently been consulted in
private capacity in relation to the cattle
disease; so had the other members of the
commission. He did not criticize the action
Of DR.. Bailey in responding to the call of the
selectnent of Bucksport to attend to the
Kent bull. He had no knowledge that the
disease was tuberculosis until it was discov-
cred. He did not think DR.. Bailey was re-
miss in his duty.
Mr.. Samuel Bell. one of the cattle COM
nissioners, testified. He said he acted only
partially as commissioner as he had not re-
ceived notification that his services were
needed. The only information he had of the
cattle disease in the>college herd was what
he had read in public print. and was not
called when the cattle on the farm were
slaughtered Mr.. Bell gave an account of
the meeting between himself, Mr.. Ferguson
and Mr.. Gilbert, Oct. goth. at Portland.
Mr. Gilbert wanted TO prepare our minds for
what we should hear when we visited DR..
Bailey, who was ''crazy" on this subject.
Mr.. Gilbert though the commissioners had
nothing to do with the bulls. When we
went to DR. Bailey's the latter said be would
never sign report unless advising an exam
ination of the bulls, or he would give his
minutes to Mr. Gilbert who should make a
report and get it signed by the other MEM
bers of the commission. Mr.. Bell believed
the bulls should be slaughtered. He pre-
scented letter which he received from Mr.
Gilbert, as follows
No. GREENE, Oct. %.
BRO. BELL:--I enclose a letter from DR..
B.. which after reading "his proposition" you
will please return to me. l have to request
that you see the doctor and talk the matter
over with him as YOU think. You need not
let him know that | have written You or that
YOU have seen his letter. You may say to
him | go to Washington county, Wednesday
to return on Saturday | think there has
De6U duOul iDOilhS chbuSu o'ci wv b""N'
port matter and | want it dried up | can
never consent t, have anything to do with
that matter further than az advisory to Mr..
Kent.
Mr. Gilbert ATTEMPTED to have me
sign his report but refused. | have never
been requested to sign report before. Mr..
Gilbert said if DIR. Bailey had minded his
business there wonld have been no trouble
Another letter was read from MIR. Gilbert to
Mr. Bell in which the former said he was not
to blame but DR.. Bailey, for any negligence
which might have occurred in regard to Mr..
Bells duties on the commission
DIR. Bailey, veterinary surgeon of the cat
tie commission, testified as TO his frst VISIT
to the State College herd, in March, 1886.
In ten minutes after beginning his examina-
ton of the cattle he told MIR, Gilbert that
the disease was no doubt tuberculosis. Inc
doctor gave a description of the disease
tuberculosis. He believed 1t could be com
municated through the milk of COW. lie
would have every bull examined, ana tnose
showing any signs of the disease Killed
Those showing no signs would be perfectly
safe TO use for beef. He told what he knew
about the Kent bull. The lungs of the
slaughtered animal he found diseased A
norton of one lung was sent to the eminent
veterinarian, DR.. Kitchener, who pronounced
IL infected with tuberculosis, and in letter
asked DR.. Bailey, "Why don't you hunt up
the bulls and take care OF them! DF:.
Kitchener supposed the commissioners were
TO blame. Several letters from Mr. Glloert
to DIR. Bailey were read. In one OF them
the former wrote about ''lying rascal y Dr.
Bailey supposed Mr.. Hall c. Burleigh was
meant. In another letter Mr.. Gilbert thought
there was lying about DIR. Bailey as well as
The hearing WAS adjourned until 2.So r.
M. today.
LEGAL AFFAIRS.
I Voted, ought to pass completing the SET
of the Maine Reports for the town or Jay
same to charter the Silver Lake Water 20
of Dexter; ought not to pass, concerning as
sessment of taxes referred to the commlttee
from the last legislature; legislation inexped-
lent. to secure the rights of creditors IN prop
erty in proce edings under chap. ll3. H. D.
JUDICIARY.
The committee took vote on the capltsi
nunishmeut question and the result was tle'
five for and five against. Voted, leave "
withdraw on the bill for assessments OF taxes
by sworn inventories; same on the for'iano
ferry.
Committee ON FINANCE.
The committee have agreed to report In
favor of reducing the State tax to two ano
three-quarter mills.